|
Catholic movie review - The Blind Side |
|
|
|
By John Mulderig - Catholic News Service
|
|
Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
An inscription over the entry gate of the Memphis, Tenn., school where some of the early scenes of the inspirational family drama "The Blind Side" (Warner Bros.) are set reads: "With God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). That Bible verse aptly characterizes the remarkable series of real-life events first recounted in Michael Lewis' 2006 best-seller "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game," and here adapted for the screen.
Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock star in a scene from the movie "The Blind Side." - CNS photo/Warner Bros
The Christian academy in question is the meeting place of homeless, solitary and emotionally shell-shocked black teen Michael Oher (appealing newcomer Quinton Aaron) and two fellow students -- white children of privilege Collins (Lily Collins) and S.J. (Jae Head) Tuohy -- whose family is destined to transform his life and to be, in turn, transformed by him.
This seemingly unlikely scenario comes about thanks to the impulsive
compassion of the Tuohy children's feisty mother, Leigh Anne (Sandra
Bullock). Spotting Michael wandering the streets on a winter night
dressed only in shorts and a T-shirt, no-nonsense Leigh Anne -- whose
motivations throughout are shown to be explicitly religious -- bundles
him into the family car and, with the quiet support of admiring hubby
Sean (Tim McGraw), offers him the living room couch for the night.
As this arrangement becomes more permanent -- and Michael becomes an
increasingly integral part of the Tuohy clan -- socialite Leigh Anne, a
successful interior decorator, discovers both the latent prejudices of
the ladies with whom she lunches and the grim realities of life in
Michael's home neighborhood, an area appropriately known as Hurt
Village that, although just across town, has previously been terra
incognita to her.
Michael's original admission to his otherwise all-white private school
was based on a coach's (Ray McKinnon) perception of his football
potential. (As Bullock's opening narration makes clear, Michael has the
perfect build to play left tackle, a key position charged with
defending a right-handed quarterback from being sacked from his blind
side.).
But Michael's education has been so woefully neglected that his grades
are far below the requisite average that would allow him to join the
team. So his adoptive kin set to work, helping Michael to hone his
on-field skills while also hiring determined tutor Miss Sue (Kathy
Bates) to raise his academic standing.
Driven by Bullock's field-sweeping performance, writer-director John
Lee Hancock's unapologetically Christian tale of human solidarity
across racial and class divides -- though restricted to adult and,
perhaps, mature teen audiences by the elements listed below -- is
funny, shrewd and ultimately uplifting.
The film contains brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, at least one
profanity, a few sexual and drug references, and a half-dozen crass
terms. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is
A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is
PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate
for children under 13.
Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available
online at www.usccb.org/movies.
 |
Sign up for our eNewsletter and get
Are we talking about the same movie? The movie was outstanding and there was nothing in it that one does not see and hear daily whether at home or at the bus. We need ot be real. The message is the movie!!! 
Show/hide comment form